Letter: Hastie has been involved in Sumter community for years

Posted

I am endorsing Calvin Hastie for mayor of our great city, Sumter, South Carolina.

I have known him for about 11 years. I saw an article in the paper back then and wanted to meet him. I had the chance when I attended a VIP (Vision in Progress) meeting. I really admired him from then on.

This is what I know about him. He graduated from Lincoln High School and was the class president in his junior and senior years. He graduated in 1968. For those who don't know, Lincoln High School was right here in Sumter on Council Street.

After attending college, he entered the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He retired in 1992. He then went to law school and became a lawyer in 1996.

He eventually moved back to Sumter and has lived here since 2006. He has his own law firm on East Hampton Street, downtown Sumter.

He has also been part of One Sumter for about five years. He is on the board for both VIP and One Sumter.

Then he was ordained as a minister on Nov. 1, 2015. I was invited to and attended his ordination.

He has been a member of Sumter City Council for Ward 3 for about 10 years. He has organized neighborhood cleanups. He has organized baseball games in Southside Park for the children of that neighborhood.

He has had his own church for the last one-and-a-half years. It is called St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church and is located at 50 Callen Drive, Sumter.

He has accomplished much and gives God the glory. I don't know how he keeps up with his schedule. I have never seen him upset or out of sorts. He supports the police. He loves his family, his community and his church. I can't say anything but good things about him. I wish I could vote for him, but I live in the county. I hope that you will vote for him.

JACKIE HUGHES

Sumter